16 Balls in the Air- Motherhood is Motherhood.

On Strike!

2013-06-10T15:48:00.000-07:00

I'm going on strike. Life feels like a blur and somewhere along what's supposed to be an adventuresome journey, I've gotten lost in the underbrush of daily life.

More than half way through my mothering career and I've come up dead empty. Like complete and total burnout on mom-ing. I just cannot correct, cajole, fix, feed, discipline or remind one more time.

I feel like all my fun-ness has fluttered away in the wind of trying hard and doing too much. I'm done. D-O-N-E. Maybe all mom's get here, but no one really talks about it. The total inability to do.one.more.thing.for.them.

My plan for the next 5 days is not to remind them about their chores. Even if animals die.
I will not say one word about summer reading.
I won't be cooking anything except for myself.
I won't be cleaning up their messes the kitchen, either.
I will step over shoes by the front door and wet towels on the floor in the bathroom and not comment.
I won't be going grocery shopping, but will gladly give them the funds let them do it themselves.
I will do all my own gardening, but leave the yard work (without reminding) to them.
I bet you can guess the last one: not a single load of laundry.

I'm just at the point where all I can see is the negative about us. The carping, bickering and ingratitude are a flood levels. I feel like going on strike has potential as a reset button. Surely it can't hurt...

Have you ever come close to going on strike?

Happy Day to All

2013-05-12T14:56:00.001-07:00

5-1-01 ~ 5-1-13

2013-05-01T07:24:00.000-07:00

This baby boy who came into the world at 9 pounds even

got a phone for his 12th birthday today.

How is this possible?

Another day, another story,

Crystal Clear

2013-04-26T13:46:00.000-07:00

In the crystal clear late afternoon light of Spring they play tag. Both of them so enthralled in their game they do not notice how worn this playground is. One wears plaid and tennis shoes, the other a bright sunshiney-yellow baseball uniform and cleats. It's impossible to tell who is "it"; all I notice is the way they run, their towheads catching the light as they circle around and around. There are squeals and cheektocheek grins as they climb up the slide.

I look up from my book, from the front seat of the car and notice all this - in just half a second. I realize I've been missing it, busy checking my phone and reading, and tears flood and start to spill. How many of these crystal clear moments do I have left? That one in the baseball uniform is my youngest.

I take the time now to notice their whole-face smiles the purely innocent delight in such a simple game. I told them ten minutes. Why? Why does fun have to have a time limit?? So I could get home and fold laundry? Or do garden prep work?

One of them dangles from the monkey bars while the other pumps his growing way too fast legs on a swing. From the look on his face he's preparing to take off into orbit.

For just a second I wonder what it would feel like to take playing so seriously. What if I got out of the car, left my phone and book and keys and just entered in? This crystal clear light is waning, on this day and these moments.

I can't help myself. Almost in a trance I do it. I set all my mental lists aside, I leave the phone and my books in the car. I don't want to miss this light.

Focus Shift

2013-04-14T12:07:00.001-07:00

We are still here.

We still have crazy, wonderful busy lives

filled with 4 sons each.

But we've had a focus shift over the past couple of years.

We hope to get it back into balance soon

and resume sharing all the aspects that make

this juggling worthwhile.

Meanwhile, tune into what else we've been up to:

Lib's Mission

Em's Nonprofit

Happy Ash Wednesday?

2013-02-13T13:03:00.001-08:00

Would you greet people like this if your Lenten practice centered you - every day for the next 6 weeks - on God's love?

Here's how I'm entering Lent: Tired. Whipped. Worn out. The last two months have steam-rolled me flat. So, I'm entering Lent with a healthy dose of realism. I will not be able to give up chocolate or wine or run and pray every day and I really don't think God cares about all my posturing anyway. What I do beleive He cares about is my heart.

I've decided I'll begin there: at the Center of who I am. And if I feel like abstaining from something for a day or a week I might. But I might not. My 'sacrifice' this year will be simple. I'm giving up Do-ing and trading it in for Be-ing.

I simply want to savor the Love that's alive in my ordinary-trying-hard-to figure-it-out life. I want a space to be reminded everyday that He is loving me right. where. I am.

To quote my most wise sister - Being with someone, soaking up their love is doing something.

Happy Ash Wednesday, indeed!

Blessings!

Africa is calling. Again.

2013-02-09T10:07:00.000-08:00

Just like last year, Liberty is headed half way around the world this Spring to help children in Rwanda.

Maybe you've been on such a trip or maybe (like me) you cannot imagine going on such a trip. Either way, you can support Liberty from the comfort of home.

Take a look at this.

Great Expectations

2013-01-31T08:39:00.000-08:00

"Hooray! You got all A's!"
"Hooray! You got all C's!"
"Hooray! You got every letter in the alphabet!"

Yes, I could say these exact words on any given day after school. And mean them all. If I have learned anything in the past 13+ years is that ALL kids are different. Different abilities, different personalities, different everything. So we must have different expectations for each.

I expect one of the 4 sons to get mostly A's. School work has always come easily for him. I expect the one who has to study for every single point he earns might still bomb a test. And I expect the one who is not that into this whole school, studying, non-playing outside deal to need a little more nudging from every angle just to get his work done. And I expect Number 4, the cutest 5 year old in the world, to continue to like Kindergarten just fine!

One loves to read. One doesn't mind reading. And a couple still like for me to read to them. Math is easy for one. Harder for another. Looks like some of you are in a similar boat.

Camille
Our expectations are that they do their best. When they were younger we explained to them that that might mean they have different grade since we only expected them to do the best they can with the gifts God gave them. And since we are all unique creations of God that could look differently for each of them.

Mary

When it comes to grades,no. Our expectations are that they try their best always and take pride in their work. Each child is different and learns in their own unique ways. As parents we should foster their learning capabilities and help them flourish drawing out their strengths and helping ad encouraging growth in their weaknesses. For us the older ones excel academically but have problems with basic problem solving skills because they've never had to work very hard for their grades. Growing up I had to work hard for each of my grades and my sister did not, but my parents still expected our best from both of us.

Heidi

That is a good question. Yes to all of the above, but realistically, we have one who is smarter than his brother. The brother will be an artist (if you catch my meaning). One is going to sail through school the other will struggle. Yes, we encourage them to do their best and to not make below B's. Realistically, we just want them to enjoy learning and not hate school. I talk to each kid differently. I help each kid differently, but I try to have similar expectations.

Baked Oatmeal Bars: Comfort for your morning

2013-01-28T19:54:00.004-08:00

When one dreary grey-skied morning follows another it's time to add some comfort food to your breakfast table. These shockingly delicious and versatile Baked Oatmeal Bars fit the bill quite nicely.

Originally found on Real food in Little Rock, I only needed to tweak this recipe a bit for our personal tastes. It makes a perfect breakfast to go or slightly sweet lunch - not to mention delicious after school snack. Actually, the baintrain will eat this yummy wholesome goodness anytime.

Baked Oatmeal Bars

Original recipe here

makes enought for two heart breakfast plus lunches&snacks

6 c. rolled oats

2 c plain kefir, buttermilk or yogurt

4 eggs, fresh from a farm

1 t nutmeg

3 t cinnamon

3 t baking powder

1 t baking soda

1 t sea salt

3 grated apples or pears

1 cup melted butter or coconut oil (cooled)

3/4 c honey (or your preferred whole food sweetener)

3/4 c raisins (optional)

12-24 hours before you want to serve this, mix oats and kefir. Cover with a towel and leave on the counter. This means before you finish cleaning the dishes on Monday you've already prepped Tuesday's breakfast. If your kids eat like mine, there's comfort knowing what's for breakfast tomorrow.

Preheat oven to 375. Butter your biggest pyrex and set aside. Break up oat/kefir mixture and add baking powder, soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Now get out a huge mixing bowl and throw in all the other ingredients. Combine wet and dry, pour into buttered pyrex and bake for about 35 minutes. It's really soft and gooey when it comes out, but becomes portable as it cools.

It's a break in winter's gray clouds when you don't have to cajole anyone into eating whole foods for breakfast. That teensy little fact takes comfort food to another level...

Enjoy!

Linked to WFMW, Jen and Kelly

New year :: New {family} Word

2013-01-24T15:01:00.001-08:00

Sooooo, it's been a while. Not sure where to start; if I should attempt a catchupallinone post or just move forward. I suppose your Thanksgiving/Christmas/3-birthdays-in-six-weeks flew by in an Instagram blur too. Right?

I'll just jump in where we are right now. We are living in a season of entrenched routines and days that seem tightly sewn together with a golden thread of sameness. Milking, music practice, school, work, homework, dinner, bed, repeat. (Obviously I need to add blogging back in there somewhere.) Oddly enough there's comfort here. Knowing what to expect and how to plan accordingly. It's dovetailing into the word the boys chose for the year quite nicely.

We managed a family meeting even in the midst of celebrations, parties and guests. We talked about what flag we wanted waving in our breeze of 2013. We talked about last year's word, how it came to be and what it meant. How we were graced by Practicing and how we could keep up our practice with a new word.

We prayed and slept and reconvened at the breakfast table.
After a bit more discussion, the word they chose is Peace.

Pretty interesting choice for a house full of boys who on any given day are fighting all kinds of imaginary and not-so imaginary battles.

Of course it's not co-incedence that the first verse on Peace we are practicing is about it passing understanding and guarding our hearts and minds. Certainly that's the kind it will take around our daily battles to make a difference.

Here's how we practice keeping this year's word in front of us during the week. Fifteen minutes (ideally) before we head out, we huddle in the kitchen and one person reads the verse. (Admittedly there is hurrying and calling for somebody to come on!) We may or may not talk about where we think we need Peace that day. Then we say the Lord's Prayer, followed by a dash for the door and everything that awaits.

The practice of centering ourselves at the beginning of the day is intended to bring much needed Peace throughout the day.

Curious about you...do you have a word? I'd love to hear how you maintain it during the year.

Blessings,

What do you think about?

2013-01-21T18:39:00.001-08:00

Memorable Thursday

2012-12-06T09:13:00.001-08:00

Some days that begin as average and mundane (get up, get dressed) can turn out to be the most memorable Thursdays. My job is simply to pay attention and record.

The memories have a way of sneaking into the middle of breakfast prep and requisite homework questions. They just show up and look like an pajama clad six year old with an enormous partially toothless ~~grin~~ half-smile. Memorable because although it's been loose for weeks, on this particular Thursday he decided to brave the pain and pull it himself.

The moments flood later in the afternoon when one tooth down, butterbain learns how to ride his bike without training wheels. Not just stay up, but how to get going all by his big little self. I help and hover and watch him grow right in front of me as he pedals away. When he says, "Wow, Mom this is really challenging!" and "Will you help me after three tries?" He's shedding the old and unecessary but gaining ground as he rides out of the shadow I cast.

I confess I took these a lot memorable days for granted with my older boys. I'll be staring another teenager in the face on Saturday, so I feel my mama synapses connecting with clarity and awareness that these are the moments to record.

So I wake up and pay attention on this Thursday that doesn't seem so average after all.

also linked to the mob society

Patience Is a Virtue?

2012-12-06T09:02:00.003-08:00

On the 5th Day of Christmas, Number 4 got the flu (and an ear infection, but who's keeping track?). Yeah, yeah I know we should get flu shots and we all did get flu shots, but the day Numbers 1-3 got flu shots, Number 4 was sick with something else and didn't get one. So, he got the flu. I should still get mom credit for the 3 who got the shot, right?

Yes, it is pitiful for The Cutest 5 Year Old in the World to have the flu, but the ironic thing is, the flu isn't the worst part of the flu. Apparently taking 2 teaspoons of 2 kinds of medicine is the worst part of the flu.

Day 1 - Since we caught it early, the doctor prescribed Tamiflu to lessen Number 4's symptoms. Funny, but Tamiflu only works if you ingest it. NOT if you stare at it in the tiny little cup on the counter for 45 minutes. NOT if you spit it out all over you, your mom and your mom's bed while she holds you down WWE style and attempts to force feed it to you after you stare at it in the tiny little cup on the counter for 45 minutes. You thought you were the only one?

Day 2 - Since yesterday's methods failed, I decided to try patience today. For 45 minutes, Number 4 and I sat at the kitchen table staring at the tiny little cups of Tamiflu and antibiotic (for the ear infection, but who is keeping track?) while I didn't yell and scream and he didn't take the medicine. Then the bribery, which is kind of like patience, began. Candy, Play-Doh AND the promise of setting up the Christmas Village that I wasn't planning on getting out of the attic this year. 30 more minutes of sipping and stalling while I didn't yell and scream and he was done. A total of 4 teaspoons of medicine (and 24 ounces of chocolate milk) were ingested.

Only 5 more days of 4 teaspoons of medicine twice a day to go.

Another day, another story,

A package with benefits

2012-11-30T16:11:00.002-08:00

I got a package this week. And it's going to benefit you!

When I saw the box with the cardinal label I was simply delighted. I knew what it is from the aroma, but that didn't keep me from wondering how it was packed and what other goodies they might have enclosed.

It's wasn't sparkly jewelry, gourmet gluten-free goodies or fresh flowers that made my day. In this case it was soap. Yep, that stuff you wash your hands and your kids mouths out with. Fragrant, handmade fabulous soap.

Graham Garden's soap is so mild and moisturizing you can use it on your face. Most people don't know I have Lupus and as a result very sensitive skin. No need for special cleansing lotion and scrubs with unknown, unprounoucable ingredients. Best part, no rashes or reactions and my skin is silky soft. Oh and the ingredients? Not a single, solitary un-biodegradable thing!

Since I found them about a year ago I've been blown away by the personal touches they put in every shipment. Don't even get me started on their quick email correspondence. I'm not going to tell you every great thing about my package since I want you to run on over to their site, click around all their products and fall in love yourself!

So, I'll be giving away a bar of this fabuloussoap to one {lucky} winner. All you have to do is leave a comment telling me what you'd like to try the most and sign up for their newsletter! They'll be sending out a discount code in the next week or two (but already offer buy 4 get 1 free!); totally worth giving up your email address for...

Winner will be chosen and notified December 10

Enough IS Enough

2012-11-30T07:24:00.001-08:00

Scrolling through Facebook this morning, I stumbled across this excerpt from one of my all-time favorite books, The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan. This reminder could not have come at a better time.

I don't know about where you live, but out here in the 'burbs this time of year - and by "this time of year" I mean the 2 weeks before Halloween through December 31 - continues to swell with increasing frenzy.

The Pinterest Effect? The decorations inside, the decorations outside. The homemade treats and appliqued matching t's for the scrubbed and perfect children. Orange and black tulle morphs overnight into hay bales and pumpkin vignettes, and then before the turkey carcass is thrown away (or boiled into homemade stock for the Martha Stewart turkey stew), red and green lights are strewn on the shrubs, the house and the 3 perfectly designed Christmas trees.

And the Elf on the DAMN Shelf. What started as a sweet, simple story about an elf who moves around your house during the month of December, is now a one-upmanship free for all of epic proportions. I don't need anything else to clean up, especially the mess made by an imaginary creepy-looking elf on a surveillance mission authorized by St. Nick.

Wasn't one carved pumpkin and store bought candy enough? Wasn't Santa and 1 decorated tree and a stocking for each person enough? How can the ever-increasing fabulousness level be sustained year after year?

I have always subscribed to the "Whatever Works for You" parenting philosophy. If decorating every surface of your house (and car), 6 trees, a mischievous elf, homemade everything, countless gifts wrapped in handprinted paper with coordinating ribbon works for you, rock on. For me, enough IS enough.

Our kids foraged Halloween costumes from the playroom and we passed out Snickers and Twizzlers to trick or treaters from our porch decorated with an UNCARVED pumpkin. As of this writing, not one Christmas decoration has been retrieved from the attic and our Elf on the Shelf hasn't shown up. And I am OK with that.

Another day, another story,

Garland of Gratitude

2012-11-21T12:43:00.001-08:00

I'm so not crafty. I'm not anti, just don't really have many original ideas, so when a dear friend recommended I blog about this Garland of Gratitude I hesitated. The idea of a rag garland came from Instagram, but adding gratitude tags to it was entirely my own.

The basic rag garland itself was bbirthed from an afternoon of linen closet purging. Instead of giving every old pillow case and sheet to Goodwill, I ripped the brightly colored ones into different lengths and widths and tied them onto some kite string I found in the bottom of our {very messy} coat closet. I don't have a picture of the finished product, but couldn't believe how a simple non-craft could change the look of our mantle.

Another Emily (surely you already subscribe to her blog?!) sent out a link for these fabulous little gratitude tags.

Before breakfast and supper, I set one tag at each person's place. We'd pass pens around filling out our meal tickets before getting served. While they brushed their teeth or fed the animals I added all the filled in tags to our Gratitude Garland.

I loved 'bruthers', but my favorite was penned by butterbain: 'a lovee mom.'

Do you and your family practice gratitude?

linked to WFMW

How the Snake Got His Rattle

2012-11-17T11:25:00.003-08:00

He stole it from the strong babies.

Another day, another story,

You might be a boy mom if

2012-11-05T19:19:00.002-08:00

There are times the weight of raising the opposite sex hits me right over the head. And there are little blinking lights, bright and kind reminders I get to walk this unique road. All I could think this morning is "you might be a boy mom if...you smile and understand this part of the nine year old's breakfast prayer:

"And please God let us get to blow up something today!!"

He squeezed that earnest request right between thank you for this food, God and please bless...

I felt like the boy mom point was being cosmically underlined when today finished reading and discussing Scots, wha hae after supper.

Embracing reality -

31 days of Wholefood Breakfast: BACON

2012-11-01T10:01:00.004-07:00

THE BACON POEMS

A treat that involves no baking, measuring or stirring.
Just pure enjoyment!

"Bacon" by LimaBain
Oh bacon! Meaty strips of hog!
Never be wasted on a dog!
Faithfully you should be savored!
In my head you are so favored!
You come in such a packaged log!
You make my head go in the fog.

"Bacon" by StringBain
O bacon! Meaty strips of hog
Soon for thee I will write a blog
I smell your beauty, taste your grease
In me you awaken a beast
Hungrier than a half starved dog
Whoever dislikes thee I flog!

Works of art, every one.

31 days of Wholefood breakfast: Baked Sweet potato for breakfast?!

2012-10-30T19:19:00.002-07:00

You know I like to serve dessert for breakfast, but thought I'd switch it up a bit. How about dinner (or at least a side dish) for breakfast? What's that, you've never thought of a baked sweet potato in the morning? Well, I hadn't either, but it certainly fits in nicely with the simple and delicious wholefood theme going on around here. Not to mention warm and filling.

It's quick, impossibly easy if you have a time bake setting on your oven and ready whenever you want. Plus, loaded with vitamins C and A - not to mention potassium which helps with stress (hello, Mondays).

::Sweet potato breakfast::

bake 1 per person

Sweet potatoes

salt

butter

cinnamon and maple syrup, optiona

Night before: wash sweet potatoes well so you can eat the skin too!

Line them all up on baking sheet in middle of your oven. If you have a time-bake option set for 1 hr 5 min at 350. If not, just turn it on as soon as you get up.

Once they are cooked: split open, and big hunk of butter (which your body needs to assimilate all those naturally occurring vitamins) add a dash of salt or cinnamon and a slight drizzle of maple syrup. Some potatoes are sweeter than others, so that part is purely a taste preference.

I told the boys tonight we are having them in the morning. my announcement met with a nice rounds of "Yeah's" and even one fist pump. Sweet all around!

Enjoy!

Linking with all the other fabulous 31-dayers here and linked to:
rachel
jen
kelli
and imparting grace

31 days of Wholefood breakfast: Macaroons!

2012-10-29T19:30:00.002-07:00

Keeping this series real: I served breakfast from a box on Sunday morning. Gluten free french toast sticks...and they tasted pretty good. There's just no such thing as 100% wholefood diet when you go grocery shopping with a nine year old {darling} blond boy.

Notice any themes at our breakfast table? Morning cookies are a hot commodity around our house. The baintrain loves them with a bowl of yogurt, I love that they are super filling, tasty and quick. Since coconut is so nutritious and doesn't cause inflammation like grains do, I love having it in the wholefood breakfast rotation.

This is a modified recipe from Adrienne: her son is deathly allergic to eggs, so the original was egg-free. I had to get a bit more protein in them for breakfast so I tweaked the recipe and made it my own in a just few minutes.

:: MACAROONS ::

preheat over to 350

convection optional

2 2/3 c shredded unsweetened coconut

1 c coconut milk

5 T coconut sugar, xylitol or honey

2 T Flour - I used GF baking mix

1 T vanilla

2 fresh eggs

dash of salt

This is a one bowl wonder. Simply measure and mix. I used a really high tech fork to mix it all together. I popped the macaroons on parchment paper lined baking sheets and cleaned the kitchen while they baked for 15 minutes - until slightly brown around the edges.

You know how a new recipe ususally takes longer? Well, these were mixed and ready to bake in under 10 minutes. I believe you could make them in the morning - with time to spare!

Enjoy!

Linking with all the other fabulous 31-dayers here and linked to:
rachel
jen
kelli
and imparting grace

31 days of Wholefood breakfast: A cookie to wake up for

2012-10-28T19:36:00.001-07:00

Em sent me a pinterest link a few months ago that inspired me to make breakfast cookie that can also double for dessert or pre-workout protein treat. This recipe has been a big hit with boys and farm workers alike. Made with no sugar, lots of protein, healthy coconut oil and chia, I think they might be a perfect fit into your morning breakfast program.

:: Breakfast cookies::

makes approx 2 dozen

preheat oven to 325

3 over ripe bananas, mashed

1/2 c nut butter

3 fresh eggs, room temp

3 T coconut oil, not quite liquified

1 c ground oatmeal, or quick oats

1/4 c chia seeds

1/3 c unsweetened shredded coconut

1/2 c raisins

1/2 choc chips, or just press into cookie tops

Mash bananas in a medium mixing bowl. Add nut butter and stir well to combine. Add eggs and coconut oil, then oats, chia, coconut and raisins. Let the soupy-ish batter sit for about 10 minutes while you get the parchment paper out and line your cookie sheets.

Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls and press down a little bit. They don't spread, so whatever shape they are when you put them into the oven they will be when you pull them out.

Bake for about 25-30 minutes (mine take 27)- you might want to rotate your pans about half way through, but it's not necessary.

They really are that easy to make. You won't be disappointed, and I think with the chocolate chips, even picky eaters will try them...

I like to make these for dessert the night before I am serving them for breakfast. It sure does streamline the morning experience to have the meal prepared! Chocolate chips not optional in any of the baintrain's opinion.

Enjoy!

linked at WFMW

31 days of Wholefood breakfast: {overnight} breakfast cookie

2012-10-26T10:15:00.000-07:00

After years of developing quick, easy, delicious and nutrient dense breakfast recipes, I finally found a breakfast cookie made with raw oats worth trying. Thanks, Fitnessista. She called it it Something worth waking up for and I wholeheartedly agree! You know I made modifications to her recipe, but had to give her credit for the original idea.

::{Overnight} Breakfast cookie ::
makes 5 filling cookies

1 c raw oats
1/2 c unsweetened shredded coconut

2 T hemp seed protein, or protein powder of your choice (check for GMO's!)

2 T Chia seeds

1/2 c nut butter

1/3 c organic cocoa powder

1/4 c xylitol, maple syrup or honey - or to taste
1/2 c milk
Optional add-ins: dried or frozen berries fruit, banana, choc chips, cacao nibs

Mix all that up and add about 1/2 cup of raw milk or Kefir (you could use almond, coconut or hemp milk). Then add an over ripe mashed banana and some raisins. Or whatever you want, that's the beauty of this recipe. Anything will taste great in the base. And they are getting plenty of protein; you know that's kind of my breakfast hobby horse...

Scoop about 1/2 cup onto a salad plate cover with plastic wrap and smush til it's flat. Pop it in the fridge and in the morning there's a cookie you can eat with a spoon.

This recipe should be filed near the top of teaching your kids to be self sufficient. Planning on putting a version of this on the menu every week!

Worth making for the extra sleep alone!

Enjoy!

Linking with all the other fabulous 31-dayers here and linked to:
rachel
jen
kelli

31 days of Wholefood breakfast: Quesadillas!

2012-10-25T14:23:00.003-07:00

You know what happens when there's a LOT of food left over? I am tempted to not cook breakfast. I did that yesterday, though, and how many leftovers can rapidly growing boys eat before staging a major revolt? I decided not to press my luck, and whipped up these breakfast quesadillas. They met most of my wholefood breakfast criteria: simple, quick, tasty and not loaded with sugar.

::Breakfast quesadillas::

makes 6

**I believe you could find everything except the tortillas for this recipe from a local farm - look here**

1/3 lb. breakfast sausage

7 fresh eggs mixed with a bit of milk

shredded cheese

12 tortillas - I used corn of course.

Directions: Brown breakfast sausage in skillet. Cook until no pink remains. Add egg/milk mixture directly to sausage in the skillet and cook just scrambled eggs. Heat up a griddle or other large pan while eggs are cooking.

To assemble: make quesadilla by spooning about 1/3 cup of cooked scrambled egg/sausage mixture onto a tortilla, top with shredded cheese and another tortilla shell. Cook until the cheese is melted and it's crispy on both sides. This whole process takes about 5 minutes. If you prefer a soft taco, just add cheese directly to the eggs and spoon that mixture into warmed up tortilla shells. However you serve it, this recipe travels very well which makes it great for wrapping and distributing before the morning commute.

The baintrain ate it with their favorite hot sauce. I'm sure you could serve it with salsa, a bit of guacamole or queso...but again, I threw this together at the last minute, so no time to dress it up.

I thought after all the leftovers they consumed yesterday they'd be a bit hungrier. However, I now have one of these sitting in my fridge.
Left overs: you can't live with them, you can't live without them...

Enjoy!

Linking with all the other fabulous 31-dayers here and linked to:
rachel
jen
kelli
kristen

31 days of Wholefood breakfast: Luscious Lemon bars

2012-10-24T19:38:00.003-07:00

There are so many tempting and delicious recipes online. Those are links to a few of my contribution to the largest cookbook ever: the internet. I keep a revolving to try stack set aside in my cookbook clutter. Loose pages flutter as I search for breakfast inspiration at the beginning of the week -always keeping my eyes peeled for recipes that are low or no sugar and heavy on the protein. Of course, being able to whip it up in about 10-15 minutes is crucial because no matter how early I get up, my mornings tend to be crazy right around "time to eat!"

I found one last week I thought of bending my time rule for and making ahead: obviously a recipe with 11 eggs is worthy for breakfast.

::Lip smacking Lemon Bars::

{for breakfast}

Makes an 11x17 pan

preheat oven to 350

For crust:

1 c almond flour

1 c coconut flour

1 t nutmeg

1 T honey/maple syrup

3 eggs

1/3 c coconut oil

1/3 c coconut milk

Preheat your oven to 350.

Mix all together and press with greased hands into bottom of coconut-oiled 11x17 pan. This is where you'll spend a few minutes, because the mixture is very sticky.

For filling:

8 eggs

juice from 6 lemons (I used 3 lemons and 4 limes)

1 T vanilla

1/2 c honey/maplel syrup

1/2 c unsweetened shredded coconut (optional garnish)

Re-use the same bowl you made the crust in so this a quick to make and clean up recipe. Mix all ingredients (it will be thin) for about a minute and pour into crust.

Bake for 25-30 minutes. Garnish with shredded coconut while its still hot.

Butterbain's eyes rolled back in his head when he tasted the first bite. Taste-bud ecstasy = a successful breakfast!

Enjoy!

Linking with all the other fabulous 31-dayers here and linked to:
rachel
jen
kelli
kristen